Crucial defence spending plan now a YEAR overdue as Kemi accuses Labour of putting party's civil war before national security

Published: 23:33, 29 May 2026 | Updated: 23:51, 29 May 2026 Labour was accused of putting party politics before national security last night after a crucial defence spending blueprint was delayed yet again. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the Government for continuing to put off the already overdue Defence Investment Plan (DIP). Ministers were accused of postponing decisions until after the Makerfield by-election on June 18 to avoid criticism of cuts to the Armed Forces and exposing divisions within Labour. The DIP – a ten-year vision for the military – should have been published by the Ministry of Defence last year. Instead, in what has been characterised as a damning indictment of Labour's commitment to defence, a minister admitted there was no date for its release. The Makerfield by-election coincides with a Nato defence ministers meeting in Brussels, which comes as concerns grow that the US is disengaging with its European allies, in part due to the failure of member states like Britain to increase defence spending significantly. As a percentage of GDP, UK defence spending lags behind Baltic states and Poland. Britain spends 2.6 per cent on defence – a figure Labour has pledged to increase to 2.7 per cent next year. Labour's failure to publish the DIP before the by-election could cost Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham votes as he tries to make his national comeback. Soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade set up a heavy machine gun position after parachuting from a British Royal Air Force A400M transport aircraft onto Salisbury Plain at Copehill Down training facility, on March 30, 2026 near Warminster Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is pictured during a visit to Uniconn in Aberdeen ahead of the Aberdeen South by-election There is already a febrile atmosphere at the MoD following a bust-up between Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces minister Al Carns over the latter's leadership ambitions. The Daily Mail has learned that Mr Carns has been excluded from top-level discussions of the DIP. Last night, Mrs Badenoch said: 'Labour are so distracted by their own civil war that they have failed to do the serious work needed to keep Britain safe.' She accused the Government of putting 'fringe causes, benefits spending and party politics before defence of the country'. The DIP is expected to set out key decisions such as Britain's commitment to an international alliance building a stealth fighter jet, more frigates and submarines and uncrewed air, sea and land-based systems. But insiders say Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reluctant to commit limited revenues to higher defence spending. Any cuts to equipment purchases published in last year's Strategic Defence Review (SDR) could cause rows within Labour and anger among senior officers. Publication of the DIP is expected to coincide with confirmation of an £18billion increase in defence spending to prepare the UK for possible conflict with Russia. However, that is still regarded as being £10billion shy of what is required to cover a shortfall in defence investment. Former Nato secretary general George Robertson, who was hired by Mr Healey to draft the SDR, has accused the Government of 'corrosive complacency' over defence. His comments were echoed by General Sir Richard Barrons, who was also involved in drafting the SDR. Yesterday, pensions and Treasury minister Torsten Bell insisted Labour wanted the DIP 'to come out as soon as possible', adding: 'We have to get the details right.' This paper backs higher defence spending through its Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.